Master of Arts in Child and Youth Study

at Mount Saint Vincent University Canada

This degree offers a broad background in the humanities, sciences and social sciences and requires completion of 15.0 units. Students intending to complete the general studies degree must declare their intention to do so before they register for their sixth unit of coursework. Students who do not make this declaration within this time frame will not be permitted to register for further coursework.

English is not just a language we speak; it is an art form, a history, and an expression of thought and being. By studying English you gain a comprehensive understanding of its language and literature, while exploring its connection to other areas of study and everyday life. Through developing invaluable skills in critical reading, writing, analysis, and research, you become more flexible and creative in your thinking as well as improving your abilities as a communicator -- abilities that are an asset for any future career.

Our courses appeal to a wide variety of students-from those who are interested in a particular genre of literature and want to take one or two courses, to those who want to explore a certain theme in more detail, to those wishing to take a minor, concentration, combined major, major or honours in English. In addition, the department offers a minor in Writing. Courses designated ENGL/WRIT may be counted toward either the Writing minor or the English honours, major, combined major, concentration, or minor. Courses designated WRIT can be counted only toward the Writing minor.

Experiential or hands-on learning is integrated into all ENGL/WRIT courses. All courses include activities that are directly relevant to the type of work undertaken by English graduates in their later careers.

Any student wishing to do a major, combined major, or concentration in English, or who wish to minor in English or Writing must consult with the department Chair, who will assign the student to an advisor. The student’s program should be planned in consultation with the advisor. Students wishing to take honours may apply after completing 10.0 units of university study.

Our graduate programs in Family Studies and Gerontology program will help you develop a deep understanding of the key issues that affect this field: family dynamics and development, or individual and population aging. You can focus your studies on Family Studies or on Gerontology. Family Studies considers individuals and families across the life-course, as well as the programs and policies that affect families. Gerontology focuses on issues related to aging and the challenges that older persons encounters.

Professional and research skills
This program will prepare you to either pursue further academic studies or to build your career by putting your research and critical thinking skills to work as you merge theory and practice in the field. As a graduate student, you may be able to participate in research projects through Nova Scotia Centre on Aging (NSCA), and you’ll have access to the state-of-the-art facilities in the Maritime Data Centre for Aging Research and Policy Analysis.

Political Studies looks at socio-political change, conflict and governance at all levels of society, from the local to the global stage. Political ideas and values mold our society and shape the way we see and think. Political Studies helps you understand why governments make the decisions they do, teaches you to critically evaluate these decisions and allows you to be an informed, active citizen.

Students are also provided with tools essential to creating and implementing policy change. As a Political Studies student, you’ll educate yourself in how political systems work, look at the sources of local, national and international conflict and grapple with current issues in political life. As an example, take a look at some of the work our students have done in the POLS 3310 – American Politics in the Age of Trump – course:

• Pre-Election Predictions Blog POLS 3310 (PDF)
• Presidential Election Results overview POLS 3310 (PDF)
• Elections Post-mortem blog POLS 3310 (PDF)

In our program, we emphasize three important areas of the discipline of political science: Canadian politics (both national and regional), political thought (both classical and contemporary) and international affairs. We encourage our students to sample from all these areas, to help them understand the political significance of globalization.

Philosophy, said Oxford philosopher Gilbert Ryle, is “thinking hard.” And what do philosophers think hard about? The most fundamental questions you can ask about what exists, how we should live, and what we can know.

Using imagination and careful reasoning, students who sign up for a philosophy course at the Mount get a chance to think hard about questions like these:

• Does God exist?
• Are there basic principles that tell us what to do about poverty or war?
• Is any action really right or wrong?
• Do we have free will?
• Is science the only path to truth?

Philosophy students learn to think for themselves about deeply rooted cultural assumptions, and so experience a kind of intellectual liberation that can be empowering for both women and men. As a side-effect, philosophy courses will give you critical thinking skills you can use to advantage in any other course as well as in your career.

Tourism is the world’s largest service industry and the second largest industry overall. At Mount, we know that tourism is about hotels, restaurants, and resorts, but it does not stop there! It is also about customer engagement, adventure tour companies, destination planning and marketing, and boutique inns – creating experiences and memories that last a lifetime. Careers in tourism and hospitality are available locally and around the world. Here in Nova Scotia, the tourism and hospitality industry is an exciting, vibrant and rapidly growing sector. Students in our program benefit from small class sizes, flexible learning options, experiential learning, and faculty who have a wide range of research interests and industry experience.

Over the four years, you study for a Bachelor of Tourism and Hospitality Management, you’ll receive in-depth education in the many facets of this booming industry. From planning and marketing to operations, you will learn the skills and knowledge you need to forge a career in a multi-billion dollar global industry.

There is a growing need for university-educated professionals in the tourism and hospitality industry. With Mount’s Bachelor of Tourism & Hospitality Management program, you will get a strong foundation in business while you learn about tourism development and hospitality management. You will graduate with a thorough understanding of the key areas of the industry.

You must complete 20 units of academic course work and three co-operative education work experiences. If you have previous industry-related experience and are admitted to the work experience route, you must complete 20 units of academic course work and two work experience terms as part of your program. You will be required to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 in 8 units of required courses including 4 units of tourism and hospitality electives. You must also meet all requirements for co-operative education to graduate.

The Mount is proud to offer the only university-level Child & Youth Study program in Atlantic Canada. Students in our program engage in practical training and theoretical explorations in child and youth work, early childhood education, as well as early intervention and inclusive development. As strong supporters of experiential learning we are pleased to offer our undergraduates four supervised practicum placements which enable our students to apply the knowledge that they have learned in the classroom to hands-on, real-world experience. We also offer a Master of Arts in Child and Youth Studies.

Our Department is committed to laying the groundwork for future leaders in the ECE and Child and Youth care fields. Your BA(CYS) degree will also prepare your for further education and professional preparation in Child and Youth Study, Education, Speech Language Pathology, Child Life and Social Work.

A university degree that is nationally and internationally recognized for employment in a variety of programs and services such as early childhood, child and youth work, mental health, recreation, family support, early intervention and inclusive development.

The Child and Youth Study program prepares students for careers in a wide variety of programs and services for children, youth and families. Students will normally focus on early childhood/child care administration or disability/special needs or youth care, but may take courses related to more than one area.

At the Mount, we are aware that the business world is both thought-provoking and diverse. Our program will equip you with essential leadership skills. These skills will prepare you for your career in business, whether you choose to become an entrepreneur or work in a large corporation, a small business, or a not-for-profit organization.

Our 2 Years Diploma in Business Administration is designed to meet your needs and interests while providing a solid foundation in accounting, finance, management, marketing and strategic human resource management.
 

The MEd is an applied (non-thesis) program designed to help teachers and educators to become leaders in their fields.

Whether your goal is to become a more effective classroom teacher, a school administrator, or an educator outside the traditional classroom setting, the MEd can help you to develop the skills to build a satisfying career in education.  
 

The Modern Languages Department offers undergraduate programs in French, practical programs in Spanish, and Chinese (Mandarin) courses. Our Modern Languages (MODL) programs allow students to fulfill requirements or recommended elective courses, and are of interest to those who wish to pursue personal or professional interests. They help those who want to study a language and a culture in-depth to meet their needs.

An introduction to the Spanish language with emphasis on understanding and speaking the language and mastering its structure. Spanish and Spanish-American cultural values are stressed in linguistic and reading materials. Note: This course is designed for students with no previous knowledge of Spanish. Students with previous knowledge of Spanish cannot take this course for credit.